[Question] How do you decide on a size for a nursing bra?
Hey friends! I'm expecting my first baby in March and trying to figure out the best way to buy a nursing bra in a correct size. I know the normal rule of thumb is "go up a cup size", but I'm not sure if that was accurate or not. In your experience, how much bigger did you have to go?
I plan on buying one bra to have ready at the hospital and hope to wait as along as possible to buy more (because they are not cheap in my size!). But even buying that one, I'm at a loss. For my specific situation, I was a 40H pre-pregnancy and am currently wearing a 42JJ. How much bigger can a girl expect to get?
Along the same lines, where do you buy good nursing bras that fit?
Posted Jan 31, 2016, 3:55 PM UTC
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Don't buy one yet. Use the "sizeless" type (s/m/l) that look like a sports bra the first several weeks if you can until your supply settles and you have a better idea how your boobs act. Mine didn't swell much when engorged BUT... I gained (I shit you not) 7 cup volumes in my last 8 weeks of pregnancy (28G to 32JJ). Your growth may be less or none at all... the point being is that you just can't know.
When you do choose a nursing bra ot may be easier to convert a standard bra with clips. If you don't sew a seamstress will do it pretty cheaply. Try to stick to a bra with stretch fabric (not sure what's available in your size range) or one that has an open top edge to allow you to swell and have somewhere to escape.
I have an old "XL" from Motherhood Maternity that is a sports bra style. It fits in that I can put it on, but provides zero support. :/ So maybe I can use that one at the hospital (better than flapping out all over the place?) and wait to buy more later. I do sew, so I'll look into how to convert a normal bra.
How long did it take for your size to settle?
And thanks for the advice :D
That's exactly the one I had :) My milk was late to arrive (about a week), and was at its max at 5 weeks. It slacked off some after that based on demand. For a while I was using a ratty old 36DDD Body by Victoria (I wasn't properly fitted... I guess my size based on what I wore at the time) because it fit loose enough that I could just fold the cups under my boobs to nurse. I wonder if you might be able to grab a clearance Cacique bra to do the same thing?
I am doing my little side project now to monitor my boobs as they grow... I am 6 weeks now and have already jumped from 30FF to 32G... It will be too late to help you but part of the project is to collect info about which bras work best for pregnant and nursing ladies and what other solutions they have found. Feel free to contribute :) My next post will be when I hit 8 weeks.
For sure :) I was thinking about measuring (weekly maybe?) starting 4 weeks prior to my due date up until they even out post partum. I'd be happy to contribute the info and keep track of things that do/don't work for me. I'm so jealous of all the moms who can use those nursing tanks. I just don't see my boobs fitting in them right now - and def not if they get any bigger!
Haha my two SILs use them one is about a 26E (34A) and the other maybe 34F (38C)? I can see how the first one doesn't need a ton of support but I dont know how the other one does it. It would kill my neck. I had a few last time and they were the only thing that gave me clogged ducts. They just don't fit right.
I'm not sure if they come in your particular size, but Hotmilk do some nursing camis for larger cup sizes. I bought a few (my size varied from 32H at 4 weeks pp, back to 30F), and have found them pretty supportive without causing any issues.
Just so you know- I didn't wear a bra at all at the hospital or for weeks after in the house. Nursing was easier in a (no bra) tank top or completely topless while we got the hang of it. We did let it "all flap out" all the time and if you're okay with it, that's okay :)
Were you comfortable? (Like physically, not socially haha)? I don't mind going bra-less, I'm just worried about getting back issues with no support.
Yes, I thought I wouldn't be but I actually found especially once engorgement started that any bra felt like too much. I am 34 J (I was about 38H when I gave birth) but find myself comfy regardless. I did just buy some of those built in wireless bra tank tops from bravissimo and I suspect something like that would've been really awesome for early on post partum.